Renting & housing · Calculator
Security deposit deadline calculator (New York's 14-day rule)
Updated By The editorial teamNot reviewed by an attorney — based on the official sources below
In short
New York gives a landlord 14 days after you move out to return your security deposit or send an itemized statement of what was kept and why. Enter your move-out date, rent and deposit: the calculator shows the deadline and whether the deposit was more than the one month's rent the law allows for most apartments.
Read on for the details, the exceptions and the sources.
How we calculate
- The deadline is 14 days after the date you vacated (General Obligations Law § 7-108(1-a)(e)).
- If the landlord misses it, the landlord forfeits the right to keep any part of the deposit.
- For most apartments a deposit can't exceed one month's rent (§ 7-108(1-a)(a)).
What the calculation leaves out
- Rent-controlled apartments, which are outside these rules (rent-stabilized apartments follow the same 14-day rule under § 7-107).
- Seasonal rentals and owner-occupied co-ops, which are exceptions to the one-month cap.
- Disputes about whether a specific deduction is fair.
What to do with the result
- If the date passes, send a written demand that cites § 7-108.
- Keep move-out photos, your forwarding address message and the lease.
- If it still isn't returned, file in small claims court.
Calculator
Enter the date above to see the result.
Frequently asked questions
Does the 14 days start when I give notice or when I leave?
When you vacate the apartment — the day you move out and return possession, usually by returning the keys.
What if the landlord sends a list of deductions on day 20?
Under § 7-108(1-a)(e), a landlord who doesn't provide the statement and the remaining deposit within 14 days forfeits the right to keep any part of it.
Want your own situation checked?
This page is general. Describe what happened, attach the letter or document you received, and get a free first answer — then, if you want, a full check against New York and federal law and a letter ready to send.
Check my situation — freeOfficial sources
This page was written from the sources below. “Checked” is the date the source was last opened and read.
- N.Y. General Obligations Law (opens in a new tab)New York State Senate — Open Legislation (official text of the Consolidated Laws) · § 7-108(1-a)(a), (e) · Checked: October 30, 2026One-month cap; 14-day itemized statement and refund; forfeiture
Related questions
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Related guides
- SituationLandlord didn't return your security deposit in New York: the 14-day rule and what to do
- SituationLandlord won't make repairs in New York: the warranty of habitability and what you can do
- Your rightRent increase notice in New York: 30, 60 or 90 days, and the Good Cause limits
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- What to do nowGot an eviction notice in New York? What it means and what to do now
- How toHow eviction works in New York: from notice to court to the marshal
This page is general information based on the official sources listed, current as of the update date. It is not legal advice and does not replace a review of your own situation; if a case is already in court, a deadline is close, the amount is large, or there are criminal, immigration or family-law consequences, talk to a lawyer or legal aid.